(1) For the purposes of this Act in its operation before 1 October 1972, members are divided into categories according to their respective rates of annual pay, and each member has a category number ascertained in accordance with subsection (2).
(2) The category number of a member is:
(a) if the annual pay of the member is less than the prescribed amount--the number ascertained in accordance with the formula , where A is the number of dollars in his annual pay or, if the number of dollars in his annual pay is not a multiple of 130, the next lower number that is such a multiple; and
(b) in any other case--the number ascertained in accordance with the formula , where:
B is the number of dollars in the prescribed amount; and
C is the number by which the number of dollars in the member's annual pay exceeds the number of dollars in the prescribed amount or, if the number so ascertained is not a multiple of 163, the next lower number that is such a multiple.
(3) A reference in this Act to a change in the category of a member shall be read as a reference to a change in his category number.
(3A) Where, after the expiration of a period of 2 years after a member has attained the retiring age for the rank held by him, his category changes, the change in category shall be disregarded for the purposes of this Act.
(3B) Where the category of a member changes and, as a result of the change, the amount of contribution to be paid fortnightly by him to the Fund would, if he did not make an election under this subsection, become less, he may, by notice in writing given to the Board within 4 months after the change, elect to have that change in category disregarded, and, if he so elects, that change in category shall be disregarded for the purposes of this Act.
(4) In this section, the prescribed amount means such amount, being a multiple of $130, as is specified in the regulations for the purposes of this section.
(5) In making a regulation for the purposes of subsection (4), the Governor - General shall have regard to any general variations in the rates of annual pay of members that have occurred.
(6) A regulation for the purposes of subsection (4) may be expressed to have taken effect from a date earlier than the date on which the regulation is made, being a date not earlier than 6 months before the date on which the regulation is made.